The BBC have announce the start of the seventh season of nu-Who with a press release and photo. As previously known this season is a prequel for next years 50th anniversary.

Two of the guest stars had recurring roles in the Harry Potter film series. Guest star David Bradley is one of those. He played Argus Filch. He also has a previous Doctor Who connection. This was a voice role in The Sarah Jane Adventures 2010 episode Death of the Doctor. The second of the guest stars, Mark Williams, played Arthur Weasley in the Harry Potter films.

The third guest star announced today, Rupert Graves, is know for playing Detective Inspector Lestrade in Sherlock. Doctor Who show runner Steven Moffat is, of course, also involved with Sherlock.

The series is expected to air from September or October and go into 2013. The announcement today does not mention this so obviously this may not yet be fully decided.

Filming has started on the next season of BBC AMERICA’s highest rated series Doctor Who in Cardiff, Wales. This season will see the last days of the Ponds, with Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill returning for their final rollercoaster voyage with The Doctor (Matt Smith). Amy (Karen Gillan) and Rory (Arthur Darvill) have been at the Doctor’s side for more than two seasons but what will he do after their heartbreaking departure?

On returning for his third season as the Eleventh Doctor, Matt Smith says: “It’s thrilling and exciting to be back and working with two of my closest friends.”

Karen Gillan adds: “It’s just brilliant to be back on the TARDIS with Matt and Arthur for our craziest adventures yet.”

New guest stars so far confirmed to star will include David Bradley, Rupert Graves and Mark Williams. Season 7 will then see a dramatic turn of events when The Doctor meets a new friend. Prepare yourselves for thrills, adventures and dramatic surprises as the show builds towards its enormous, climactic 50th anniversary year.

Fourteen big, blockbuster-movie episodes – each a brand new epic adventure featuring new monsters and some familiar foes as you’ve never seen them before.

Steven Moffat (Tintin, Sherlock) is lead writer and executive producer, Caroline Skinner (The Fades) is executive producer and Marcus Wilson (Whitechapel) is producer. Toby Whithouse (Being Human) and Chris Chibnall (Law & Order: UK) will be writing episodes for the new season. Doctor Who is a BBC Cymru Wales Production for BBC ONE.